Articles of Faith

Preface

The many types and shadows of the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple worship were pointing toward the New Testament period and the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ on this earth.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Jesus showed Himself alive to many of His disciples for forty days. He left them with the promise of the Spirit returning to indwell them (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5-8).

On the Jewish Feast day of Pentecost, 30 A.D., a group of one hundred and twenty faithful followers of Jesus were gathered in Jerusalem in an upper room. Suddenly they were overwhelmed with the promised Spirit. They began to speak with other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. Thus the Church was born! As the Apostle Peter spoke to the gathered throng, 3,000 others were likewise added to the original group of one hundred twenty. Since this beginning in Jerusalem, the Church spread as the apostles carried the Gospel forth into the world.

At the death of the apostles and the conclusion of their writings, which we recognize as New Testament Epistles, those whom they had ordained continued their message with signs following.

During the intervening centuries, the true Church of Jesus Christ has known much tribulation and persecution at the hand of those who oppose her message. Yet in every century the Lord has had a witness and the Church has had a voice. At the beginning of the twentieth century, God chose the United States to pour out the Latter Rain of His Spirit. Revival fires began to spread as people began to seek a deeper experience with God. Soon thousands were filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ here in the United States. Then, Missionaries were sent out into other countries carrying the Gospel. Thus America became a great bastion for Apostolic truth in the twentieth century. In every state the Apostolic Message spread and churches were founded. From these churches, groups began to form as churches and men of God united their efforts to do more for God. Through the efforts of these faithful witnesses the Commission of Jesus Christ to “…preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), is being fulfilled.

Brief History

The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ is a continuation of the great revival that began on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem, A.D. 30, and is founded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief cornerstone, (Acts 2:1-41; Ephesians 2:19, 20).

Various groups throughout the country went by different names trying and striving to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Finally in the month of March, 1952, three groups known as the Assemblies of the Church of Jesus Christ, Jesus Only Apostolic Church of God, and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, formulated a merger adopting the name Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is Apostolic in Doctrine and Teachings, and the Bible as their guide book. Therefore this Constitution and Articles of Faith are set forth.

Introduction

We believe the Bible to be the direct and absolute Word of God (II Timothy 3:16), given to us by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost as it moved upon the tongues and pens of men who had received the special anointing of God for this express purpose: (II Peter 1:21). “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” We believe the Bible to be God’s means of doctrine, instruction, and comfort to the Church today, infallible in its authority, singular in interpretation, and man’s only avenue of access to God.

The One True God

We believe in the One ever-living, eternal God; infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, and possessing absolute, indivisible Deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father in creation, through the Son in redemption, and as the Holy Ghost by emanation (I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; II Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28).

The Scripture does more than attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes and declares that the knowledge of God is universal (Romans 1:19, 21, 28, 32; 2:15). God is invisible, incorporeal, without parts, without body and therefore free from all limitations. He is Spirit (John 4:24), and “a spirit hath not flesh and bones…” (Luke 24:39).

The first of all commandments is, “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD:” (Mark 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4). “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all:” (Ephesians 4:6).

This one True God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in divers ways, in the Son while He walked among men; as the Holy Ghost after the ascension.

The Son of God

The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (I Timothy 3:16;John 1:10).

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11). This one true God was manifested in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ.

“… God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;…” (II Corinthians 5:19).

We believe that, “… in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9).

The Name

“… unto us a child is born, unto us a son in given:… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when the Son of God was named, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: For he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Man and His Fall

God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:26,27), innocent, pure and holy (Romans 5:11, Ephesians 2:3). Man needed a redeemer which has been supplied in the seed of the woman, which seed bruised the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15; Luke 2:10,11); that is, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5).

The Grace of God

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (Titus 2:11,12)

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17). A Christian, to keep saved, must walk with God and keep himself in the love of God (Jude 21), and in the grace of God. The word “grace” means “favor.” When a person transgresses and sins against God, he loses favor. If he continues to sin and does not repent, he will eventually be lost and cast into the lake of fire. (Read John 15:1,6; II Peter 2:20-22) Jude speaks of the backsliders of his day and their reward. (Read Hebrews 6:4-6)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8).

The Communion

Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, gave the first communion, consisting of bread and wine (Genesis 14:18), to our father Abraham. Christ, being “made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Evidently administered the same (Hebrews 7:21; Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:23-32).

On the night of our Lord’s betrayal, He ate the Passover supper with His apostles, after which He instituted the Communion service. “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19, 20). Paul instructed the Church how to observe it (I Corinthians 11:23, 24,25).

The Washing of Feet

This ordinance is as much a divine command as any other New Testament ordinance. Jesus gave us an example that we do even as He had done. He said that we ought to wash one another’s feet. And again, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if you do them” (John 13:4-17). There is scriptural evidence that this was practiced by the church in the days of the apostle Paul (I Timothy 5:10).

Divine Healing

The physical suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ purchased healing for our bodies, as His death, burial and resurrection provided for the salvation of our souls, for “… with his stripes we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:5). Matthew 8:17 reads, “… Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (See also I Peter 2:24)

We see from this that healing for the body is in the atonement. That being true, then it is for all who believe. Jesus said of the believer, “… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Later James wrote in his epistle to all the church, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:14-16).

Repentance and Remission of Sin

The only grounds upon which God will accept a sinner is repentance from the heart for his sins that he has committed. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17). John preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and before His ascension commanded that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). Peter fulfilled this command on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38).

Water Baptism

The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, and is only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the Gospel in obedience to the Word of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles; 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5, thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.

Holy Spirit Baptism

John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said “… He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, “… ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, “… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, (languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The terms “baptized with the Holy Ghost,” “filled with the Holy Ghost,” and the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” are synonymous terms which are interchangeable in the Bible.

Apostolic Doctrine of the New Birth

The basic and fundamental doctrine of this Organization shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance (Acts 2:4,38; John 3:5).

Holiness

We believe that godly living should characterize the life and walk of all saints according to the sign and example found in I Peter 2:21; Titus 2:11; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 1:15-17.

e believe we are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1), to abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22), and to turn away from those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof (II Timothy 3:5; I Corinthians 11:6; I Timothy 2:9,10; I Peter 2:3,4).

he Apostle Peter gives instruction to wives about their behavior and their appearance, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they be-hold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (I Peter 3:1-4).

The Word of God teaches a distinction between the dress of a woman and a man: “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garments: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” (Deuter-onomy 22:5) The word “abomination” used by God in this verse indicates that this rule will not change through all generations. Christian men are not to wear women’s clothing, and Christian women are not to wear men’s clothing.

Modesty is not confined to dress alone but also includes conversation and manners. Philippians 4:5 teaches us, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

Holiness is not only an inward presence of God but it is also reflected in the outward life of the Christian in his conduct in this world.

Tithing

We believe tithing is God’s financial plan to provide for His work, and has been since the days of Abraham. Tithing came with faith under Abraham, Moses’ law enjoined it, Israel practiced it when she was right with God, Jesus endorsed it (Matthew 23:23), and Paul said to lay by in store as God has prospered you. Do not rob God of His portion, that is tithes and offerings (Read Malachi 3).

In order to lift a higher standard in the ministry, no minister shall be accepted in this organization who has married for the second time after his conversion, unless the first marriage was terminated by a death, or if he/she is determined to be the innocent party in the divorce. See General Constitution Article VIII, Section 5.

Secret Societies

The people of God shall have no connection whatsoever with religious oriented secret societies or any other organization (labor unions excluded) wherein bound by an oath to unbelievers.

We believe the catching away of the church draweth nigh, and at that time all the dead in Christ shall rise from their graves, and we that are alive and remain shall be translated or “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36-42; Luke 17:20-37; I Corinthians 15:51; Philippians 3:20,21; I Thessalonians 4:13-17).

Whereas, the Word of God teaches the imminent second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that there will be first an appearing or catching away of the Church (I Thessalonians 4:13) preceding His second coming back to earth; and said first appearance we believe to be at hand and likely to occur at any moment.

Tribulation

Moreover, we believe that the distress upon the earth is the “beginning of sorrows” and will become more intense until there “shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time,” (Matthew 24:21; Daniel 12:1; Romans 11:25-27).

Millennium

We believe that the period of “Tribulation” will be followed by the dawn of a better day on earth, and that for one thousand years there shall be “peace on earth and good will toward men,” (Revelation 20:1-5; Isaiah 65:17-25; Matthew 5:5; Daniel 7:27; Micah 4:1; Habakkuk 2:14; Romans 11:25-27).

Final Judgement

When the thousand years are finished, there shall be a resurrection of the dead who shall be summoned before the Great White Throne for their final judgment, and all whose names are not found written in the Book of Life shall be cast into the lake of fire, burning with the brimstone, which God has prepared for the devil and his angels (Revelation 20:5-15; Matthew 24:41-46; Revelation 21:8).

Civil Government

All civil magistrates are ordained of God for peace, safety, and the welfare of all people (Romans 13:1-10; Titus 3:1,2; I Peter 2:13,14); therefore, it is our duty to be in obedience to all requirements of the law that are not contrary to the Word of God and that do not force one to the violation of the sixth commandment by bearing arms. It is our duty to honor without murmuring (Matthew 17:24-27; 22:17-21) and show respect to them in all lawful requirements of the civil government.

Conscientious Scruples

We propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal citizens, but are constrained to declare against participation in combatant service in war, armed insurrection, property destruction, aiding and abetting in or the actual destruction of human life. Furthermore, we cannot conscientiously affiliate with any union boycott or organization which will force or bind any of its members to perform any duties contrary to our conscience or receive any mark without our right to affirm or reject same.

However, we regret the false impression created by some groups or so-called “Conscientious Objectors” that to obey the Bible is to have contempt for law or magistrates, to be disloyal to our government and in sympathy with our enemies, or to be unwilling to sacrifice for the preservation of our commonwealth. This attitude would be as contemptible to us as to any patriot. The Word of God commands us to do violence to no man. It also commands us that first of all we are to pray for rulers of our country. We, therefore, exhort our members to freely and willingly respond to the call of our Government except in the matter of bearing arms. When we say service – we mean service – no matter how hard or dangerous. The true church has no more place for cowards than has the nation. First of all, let us earnestly pray that we will with honor be kept out of war. We believe that we can be consistent in service to our Government in certain non-combatant capacities, but not in the bearing of arms.

Public School Activities

We disapprove of school students attending shows, dances, dancing classes, theaters, engaging in school activities against their religious scruples, and wearing gymnasium clothes which immodestly expose the body.